Arm Action: Work Together, not Pump Up and Down

Last Updated on November 2, 2011 by Jimson Lee

Here is another article on arm action. I feel it’s a very important topic as recent high school track meets proves that it’s not being emphasized enough.

I discussed arm action in 3 previous articles:

1. Arm Action in Sprinting
2. Arm Action in Sprinting – Is this Product Crap?
3. Stealing Second and Third Base: The Secret are in the Hands

In this video from PALO fitness, Adarian Barr demonstrates the use of PALO with running mechanics.  (I talked about the benefits of PALO at the end of this article last year)

The explanation makes total sense, and this is a reason why I try to do all my core exercise with a medicine ball with a twisting side-to-wide motion. 

(clicking on the image will take you to http://www.palofitness.com/#!palo-and-running)

Real Time Examples

Take a look at Masters Champion Bill Collins below from the 2008 Clermont-Ferrand World Indoor Championships (click here for the video on YouTube).  Bill is in Lane 4.  Notice how his arm action works together up-and-side to side, and compare it to others who are simply pumping up or down.